ARTrageous!& Launch of Abilities Arts Festival 2010

September 24th – October 24th

The 2010 Abilities Arts Festival brought together a dazzling array of talent and creativity. We showcased inspired local performers, dynamic artists from across Canada, the United States and as far away as Australia as part of this year’s line-up. We invite you to explore and… be inspired.

IN CELEBRATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH 2010

Now in its sixth year, IN CELEBRATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH is an exciting, full-day event that provides children and youth with disabilities an opportunity to see and experience first-hand the wonder and enjoyment of disability arts and culture. IN CELEBRATION OF OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH is a positive event that acknowledges strengths, recognizes and respects disabilities and introduces school-aged children to the possibilities that await them.

MIRAGE

“Mirage” is an Igneous collaborative work that plays on perceptual illusion and explores phantom-limb sensation as a “mirage.”

It is a performance installation with movement-based performance, video art, sound art, and a series of mirror booths. It is an interactive labyrinth of mirrors and a solo performance piece in a reflective pool amongst multi-dimensional projections. It plays on perceptual illusion, the construction of hybrid forms and the real and virtual fusing and separating.

“Mirage, was sensational. Australian dancer James Cunningham, whose left arm is withered, put on a spectacular movement performance, accompanied by compelling electronic music.”- NOW MAGAZINE

My favorite for the night. While we were watching the performance, I said to my friend, “This feels like the first art I’ve seen tonight.” The performance involved two stages. In the first, you were encouraged to engage with three mirror-based perceptual illusions that centred on ideas of symmetry and identity. All of them were genuinely startling and surprising.”- BlogTO

James Cunningham almost totally paralyzed his left arm in 1992. In his research about pain relief, he found a particular experiment immensely profound: the “mirror-box”, designed by neuro-psychologist Dr Vilayanur Ramachandran, director of the Centre for Brain Cognition at the University of California – San Diego, used to alleviate amputees of phantom-limb pain.

Observing the movement of his intact arm reflected in a mirror, it was as if James could suddenly feel his paralysed arm moving again, along with perceived weight, joint articulation and position in space. A bizarre experience when one knew that in fact the immobile arm was lying flat on the table. Wanting to share this discovery with others – for them to gain a first-hand experience of the illusory nature of perception, the “mirage” of the mind – and to develop a choreography driven by the actual movement possibilities of his partially-paralysed limb, which necessitates the rest of his body to creatively “serve” and thereby integrateits quirky, subtle, and loosely swung movements, he, along with Suzon Fuks, began formulating the project MIRAGE.

The work spans two spaces. In the WHITE SPACE audience members experiment with and challenge their perception with five mirror-booths. The BLACK SPACE sees Cunningham perform in the shallow water environment, with a unique style of movement that integrates a partially paralysed arm, exploring anabstract narrative, through a range of atmospheres and feelings.

SIGNALS FROM THE STAGE

An evening of vibrant dance, live music, outrageous comedy, and passionate spoken word coming at you in a smooth flow that will keep you engaged and inspired. The evening’s line-up includes:

MARTIN DESCHAMPS

Featured in the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympics, Martin is an award winning singer, songwriter, and one of the best known and appreciated rock pop stars in Quebec. His enthusiastic, energetic and wide ranging music are sure to enthrall all who attend.

SHAWN BRUSH, AKA KROOKED COWBOY

Shawn is one of the finest performers of bluegrass, folk and country music, whose music is passionate, heartfelt and has a unique ability to touch everyone who has the privilege of hearing him.

SPIRIT SYNOTT

Spirit is a dancer, actor, visual artist — she will perform original, beautiful dance creations that are truly inspired.

ANDRE ARRUDA

Funny man Andre knows how to tell a story and to see the funny side of every situation. He will take you on a ride not to be missed.

FILM NIGHT

Presenting the award-winning film The Red Chapel and Canadian short Asia Trains followed by an intimate and thought provoking Q + A.

The Red Chapel

A trio of Danish comedians travel to North Korea pretending to be regime sympathizers and mount an absurd variety show. This stunt is led by the acerbic director Mads Brugger, and assisted by Simon Jul and Jacob Nossell, both of South Korean descent. Only Jacob is allowed to speak his mind. Suffering from cerebral palsy, his halting speech is difficult to translate, so he insults his socialist hosts and receives smiles in return. The Red Chapel is an unconventional, hilarious and damning peek into a totalitarian nightmare.

Asia Trains

A short film by Canadian film maker Mitch St. Pierre that follows his own unique approach to travelling through Asia unescorted.

Post navigation

Tangled Art + Disability is boldly redefining how the world experiences art and those who create it. We are a not for profit art + disability organization dedicated to connecting professional and emerging artists, the arts community and a diverse public through creative passion and artistic excellence. Our mandate is to support disability-identified artists, to cultivate disability arts in Canada, and to enhance access to the arts for artists and audiences of all abilities.